LIAT (2020) expected to return in April 2024, shares PM Browne

St John, Antigua and Barbuda: Prime Minister Gaston Browne has signed an agreement for an aircraft for the return of LIAT (2020) Limited to file for an Air Operator Certificate (AOC). He hosted a meeting on Wednesday with the Cabinet to inform them about the agreement.

PM Browne shared his vision to bring back LIAT (Leeward Islands Air Transport) in the skies by the next month. He also revealed that dialogues were exchanged between the shareholder government and the Caribbean Development Bank (CDB) regarding the purchase of the airline’s first aircraft.

As per the meeting, it is expected that LIAT (2020) will begin its services in April 2024. At the post-Cabinet media briefing, Information Minister Melford Nicholls explained that the agreement is “procedural” as the liquidation court case against the former LIAT (1974).

Noting this, it went bankrupt during the coronavirus pandemic and couldn’t continue the airline services. There was no arrival and departure of passengers through this.

“It’s not that the government is not in a position to effect the outright purchase of the first aircraft. It is just that procedurally if the CDB determines that there has to be a prior decision of the court in respect of the administrator, then that may be down the road in September”, Minister Nicholas added. 

He further expressed his concern and called for a great degree of urgency regarding the various critical issues which are affecting regional air travel.

If sources are to be believed, it has been said that Antigua and Barbuda will be spending approximately US $12 million to purchase the three ATR 42- 600 aircraft for LIAT.

While speaking about staffing, Nicholas states that LIAT (2020) will include a mix of members of newcomers and experienced professionals. With the return of air services, there is an expectation of a partnership with Nigeria’s largest airline ‘Air Peace’, which will add more resources to the services.

He also hoped that until the end of this year, they would manage to retain over 100 staff members for the air services. The arrival of LIAT as a private company, will open multiple job opportunities, which will benefit the regional travel market and all the citizens.